Philadelphia is a world-famous culinary destination with a varied and vibrant restaurant scene. The city has a wide range of dining options, from Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants to casual street food vendors. In this blog post, I will share some of the top restaurants in Philadelphia that are a must-visit.
Top Places to Eat in Philadelphia
In this section, let me list down the top places to eat in Philadelphia along with a few additional details on each of them like specialty and must-try dishes.
1. Zahav
Zahav is one of the best restaurants in Philadelphia that serves Israeli cuisine. The restaurant offers two 4-course tasting options for the menu: Al Ha’esh and Mesibah.
Al Ha’esh features charcoal-grilled delicacies in skewers along with Rice Pilaf. Mesibah features Pomegranate Lamb Shoulder, Crispy Persian Rice, with Whole Dorade in Grape Leaves or Dry-aged Duck.
Hospitality entrepreneur Steve Cook and Chef Michael Solomonov are responsible for the culinary delights in Zahav. The restaurant won the 2019 James Beard award for Outstanding Restaurant.
| Location | 237 St James Place, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Timings | Tuesday-Saturday – 5 pm to 9.30 pm Sunday, Monday – Closed |
| Specialty | Dinner |
| Must-Try Dishes | Laffa Bread, Tehina Hummus, Pomegranate Lamb Shoulder |
| Google Rating | 4.7/5 |
2. Parc
Parc is one of the best restaurants in Philly if you like to enjoy French cuisine. The French inspired restaurant offers classic French dishes with a modern touch. The indoor seating has a large dining area. The outdoor seating area is also a great place to sit during warm weather.
The service is top-notch and quite accommodating. The restaurant has a chic and fantastic atmosphere that imitates French decor.
| Location | 227 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
| Timings | Monday-Thursday – 8 am to 10 pm Friday – 8 am to 11 pm Saturday – 10 am to 11 pm Sunday – 10 am to 10 pm |
| Specialty | Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner |
| Must-Try Dishes | Steak Frites, Tuna Carpaccio, Onion Soup Gratinée, Croque Madame |
| Google Rating | 4.6/5 |
3. Friday Saturday Sunday
Friday Saturday Sunday is one of the best places to eat in Philadelphia. Owned by head chef Chad Williams and his wife Hanna, the restaurant has been operational since 2015. The menu offered here has an eight-course meal tasting experience which you will love.
The food and cocktails served in the restaurant are delicious with unique flavors. The restaurant went on to win the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant in 2023.
| Location | 261 S 21st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
| Timings | Wednesday-Sunday – 5 pm to 11 pm Monday, Tuesday – Closed |
| Specialty | Dinner |
| Must-Try Dishes | Benton’s Country Ham, Sweetbreads, Blood Orange Cake |
| Google Rating | 4.7/5 |
4. Vernick Food & Drink
Vernick Food & Drink is one of the top places to eat in Philly. Owned by Chef Greg Vernick, the restaurant was opened in 2012 where he serves dishes that use his way of new American cooking.
The mix of flavors in each dish made in the restaurant is in perfect tune, and the preparation is absolutely flawless. They offer a seamless service and a creative selection of cocktails.
| Location | 2031 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
| Timings | Tuesday-Saturday – 5 pm to 9.30 pm Sunday-Monday – Closed |
| Specialty | Dinner |
| Must-Try Dishes | Beef Tartare Sandwich, Bison Strip Loin, Grilled Black Sea Bass |
| Google Rating | 4.7/5 |
5. Amada
Established in 2005, Amada is the first iconic Spanish restaurant of Chef Jose Garces serving Andalusian tapas. The restaurant has a rustic-chic setting with a private dining room, a semi-secluded lounge, spacious bar and group tables in the main dining room.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is warm and inviting. The restaurant is suitable for enjoying meat, seafood, and vegetarian options. It is one of the best places to eat in Philly if you are looking for tapas and cocktails.
| Location | 217-219 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Timings | Monday-Friday – 5 pm to 10 pm Saturday, Sunday – 11.30 am to 3 pm, 4 pm to 10 pm |
| Specialty | Lunch/Dinner |
| Must-Try Dishes | Short Rib Flatbread, Garlic Shrimp, Croquetas de Jamón, Pulpo a La Gallega |
| Google Rating | 4.5/5 |
6. Vetri Cucina
If you have a thing for Italian cuisine, then Vetri Cucina is one of the good places to eat in Philly. Founded by Chef Marc Vetri and his business partner, Jeff Benjamin, in 1998, the restaurant serves a classic tasting menu that uses the best quality seasonal, local, and specialty ingredients.
The menu is a four-course option that has a selection of pasta, antipasti, secondi and desserts. The service offered is excellent and the staff is attentive and considerate.
| Location | 1312 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
| Timings | Monday-Sunday – 5 pm to 9 pm |
| Specialty | Dinner |
| Must-Try Dishes | Sweet Onion Crepe, Smoked Baby Goat, Pistachio Molten Cake |
| Google Rating | 4.8/5 |
7. Sampan
If you are craving for some Asian food in Philadelphia, then Sampan is the best place to visit. It is one of the famous restaurants in Philadelphia serving tasty dishes to Asian cuisine lovers. The restaurant provides modern small plates in Philly’s Midtown Village.
The food served is amazing and the place has a good selection of beer, wine, sake as well as cocktails. The ambience of the place is really wonderful.
| Location | 124 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
| Timings | Sunday-Tuesday – 4 pm to 10 pm Wednesday, Thursday – 4 pm to 11 pm Friday, Tuesday – 4 pm to 12 am |
| Specialty | Dinner |
| Must-Try Dishes | Kung Pao Chicken Wing, Korean BBQ Beef, Kim Chee Fried Rice |
| Google Rating | 4.5/5 |
8. Suraya
Suraya is one of the top Philly restaurants that serve Lebanese cuisine. The restaurant serves both classical and modern dishes that are Levant-inspired. There are a variety of cocktails offered and they are all named after the elegant words of Khalil Gibran, a Lebanese poet. The Enchanted Forest, the Golden Belt, Melody in the Night are some of the cocktails available here.
In Suraya, the food is amazingly fresh, well prepared and served in good size portions. The service is spectacular with a friendly staff.
| Location | 1528 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125 |
| Timings | Monday, Tuesday – 5 pm to 10 pm Wednesday, Thursday – 11 am to 2 pm, 5 pm to 10 pm Friday, Saturday – 11 am to 2 pm, 5 pm to 11 pm Sunday – 10 am to 2 pm, 5 pm to 10 pm |
| Specialty | Lunch/Dinner |
| Must-Try Dishes | Baba Ganoush Eggplant, Fresh Pita, Muhammara, Fattouch salad |
| Google Rating | 4.7/5 |
9. Vedge
Vedge is a vegan restaurant that was started by Chefs Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby in 2011. It is one of the most amazing restaurants in Philadelphia. The restaurant provides one of the most elegantly prepared vegan meals in the city.
The atmosphere is cozy here and the service is amazing. Regarding the dishes, the ingredients used are matched such that they blend together perfectly. You get to enjoy the best and delicious inventive small plate dishes here.
| Location | 1221 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
| Timings | Tuesday-Thursday – 5 pm to 9 pm Friday, Saturday – 5 pm to 9.15 pm Sunday, Monday – Closed |
| Specialty | Dinner |
| Must-Try Dishes | Grilled Tofu, Spicy Dan Dan Noodles, Carrot Rillettes, Eggplant Braciole |
| Google Rating | 4.8/5 |
10. Dalessandro’s Steaks
Founded in 1960, Dalessandro’s Steaks is the best place to eat a Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia. You get delicious cheesesteaks at a reasonable price in this cheesesteak restaurant.
The cheesesteaks prepared here are really fresh as the meat and bakery deliveries happen throughout the day. The meat is properly and finely chopped to blend smoothly with the onions and cheese. The place also offers a range of gourmet soda and both imported and domestic beers.
After enjoying a good dining experience in these restaurants, you can visit these best weekend getaways from Philadelphia for a more diverse experience.
| Location | 600 Wendover Street, Philadelphia, PA 19128 |
| Timings | Monday-Thursday – 11 am to 10 pm Friday, Saturday – 11 am to 11 pm Sunday – 11 am to 9 pm |
| Specialty | Lunch/Dinner |
| Must-Try Dishes | Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich with Whiz and Onions, Cheesesteak with Fried Onions, Pepper Steak |
| Google Rating | 4.4/5 |
Conclusion
Philadelphia is one of the best places to fulfill the cravings of your taste buds with a variety of dining options. The restaurants in Philadelphia, PA listed above offer a rich and diverse dining scene, promising something for every palate and budget. I encourage you to explore and indulge in the city’s culinary delights and enjoy some unforgettable dining experiences.
As you get ready to travel to Philadelphia to try out the best restaurants, you can browse these best vacation rentals in Philadelphia offered by HolidayKeepers for your accommodation. They provide ample amenities like WiFi, hot tubs, indoor swimming pool, and more, so that you can have a great experience.
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FAQs
Q1. What are the different cuisines that are available in Philadelphia?
American, European, Spanish, Italian, Lebanese, Asian and Mexican cuisines are the different cuisines that are available in Philadelphia
Q2. Which are the best restaurants to have a Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia?
Dalessandro’s Steaks, Pat’s King of Steaks, Geno’s Steaks, Campo’s Philly Cheesesteaks and Cleavers are the best restaurants to have a Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia.
